{"id":12857,"date":"2023-10-10T16:52:21","date_gmt":"2023-10-10T16:52:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/belgian-football-star-hazard-retires-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-10-10T16:52:21","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T16:52:21","slug":"belgian-football-star-hazard-retires-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/belgian-football-star-hazard-retires-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Belgian football star Hazard retires | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nPARIS:
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Belgian attacking midfielder Eden Hazard<\/a> announced his retirement on Tuesday after failing to find another club following his release by Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

The 32-year-old endured an injury-plagued spell at Real Madrid after his 89-million-pound (103 million euros, $110 million) move from Chelsea in 2019, playing just 76 matches in all competitions across four seasons.<\/p>\n

“You must listen to yourself and say stop at the right time,” Hazard wrote on Instagram. “After 16 years and more than 700 matches played, I have decided to end my career as a professional footballer.”<\/p>\n

Hazard had a far happier time at Chelsea, winning both the Premier League title and Europa League twice as well as the FA and League Cup from 2012-2019.<\/p>\n

He was also integral to Belgium’s impressive run to the 2018 World Cup semi-finals, beating Brazil in the quarter-finals but bowing out to eventual champions France in the semi-final.<\/p>\n

However, he was unable to rouse himself for last year’s World Cup finals when along with fellow stars Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku<\/a>, Hazard and a below-par Belgium bowed out in the group stage.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless Hazard \u2013 who also won a Ligue 1 crown with Lille and two La Liga titles with Real and picked up a Champions League winners’ medal as an unused substitute in 2022 \u2013 was in grateful mood as he signed off.<\/p>\n

“I was able to realise my dream, I have played and had fun on many pitches around the world,” he said.<\/p>\n

“During my career I was lucky to meet great managers, coaches and teammates \u2013 thank you to everyone for these great times, I will miss you all.”<\/p>\n

He thanked his clubs and the Belgian federation as well as friends, family and advisors “who have been close to me in good times and bad”.<\/p>\n

“Finally, a huge thank you to you, my fans, who have followed me for all these years and for your encouragement everywhere I have played,” he added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n